Matcha Green Tea Lattes

Matcha (Wikipedia, Answers.com) green tea lattes can be very hit or miss, even from the same establishment. So much relies on the preparation of the drink.

I can't remember where I had my first one in Vancouver, but I know I have had green tea ever since I was little - usually at my Japanese relatives' houses or in the form of green tea ice cream.

I usually buy green tea lattes from Starbucks and Blenz, both of which are frequent targets of criticisms by Vancouverites as evidenced by passing remarks on the street or on public message boards (summed up in picture form here).

There are a more elucidating opinions especially this post (ellipses are in original):

Almost all of the negative talk about Starbucks revolves around the universal hobby of just not liking the giant multinational company, and jumping on bandwagons. And there's usually always a good reason for it...generally poor quality and mindless consumerism as a result of falling under the spell of corporate branding...that's never good. But for all the talk, people still patronize these places like crazy....the big corporations can pretty much ignore the backlash and continue to rake in the dough.

But all that is just an arguement over ethics...That aside, if we are talking stictly about the quality of their product (coffee), then they are in very good company....almost all coffee sold is stale...rancid...improperly prepared swill. It's only image and consistancy that propels Starbucks and other highly branded cafes....why do you think we still throw that McDonalds crap down our throats like there's no tomorrow?....cause it's familiar...we even convince ourselves we like it.

Pretty insightful, eh?

I wanted to find out how people in Vancouver thought the matcha green tea lattes were at different coffee shops, but I found no enlightenment from Discover Vancouver Forum - Matcha Tea. Although I was amused by the flame war on the second page.

My online search also revealed quite a bit of strong reactions to Starbucks' green tea latte, such as Off the Broiler (food and technology blog), Chowhound ("for those who love to eat"), and Slashfood (whose name reminds of Slashdot).

So, if you have enjoyed green tea lattes in Vancouver, let me know. Or if you find a better review website that would rock.

My second mission was to make a better-tasting matcha "latte" at home, considering I don't have a milk steamer thingy. I did read that you can use the blender to get the drink all frothy. I should try that sometime. Right now, I use Blenz matcha powder, a bowl, a bamboo whisk, soy milk, and vanilla sugar. I found the best results with using hot soy milk instead of hot water to blend the powder. It makes a nice creamy drink and cuts down on the bitterness.

Here are some other recommendations for making a matcha latte:

• Qualiteas - Matcha, Froth of Liquid Jade
• RecipeZaar - Matcha Iced Latte or Smoothie
• TeaSwap - Matcha Latte II
• Boulder Tea - Matcha Latte and other many other green tea recipes
• Global BC - Vanilla Matcha Latte (if you have a milk steamer)
• Food Service News - The Lychee Matcha Latte (alcoholic drink)

In case the page with the Lychee Matcha Latte recipe is moved, here it is:

The Lychee Matcha Latte
1 oz. Lychee liqueur
1 tsp. Tea Fuzions Matcha latte powder
(dissolved in 1 oz. hot water)
6 oz. Steamed milk

Dissolve 1 tsp. of Tea Fuzions Matcha latte
powder in hot water in your coffee glass, add
lychee liqueur and fill with steamed milk.

Enjoy!